Compressor-controlling mechanism



N w. H. WINEMAN. COMPRESSOR comaoume MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 22, 1917.

Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

173126 ?or WadeHI Yz' 6 W. H. WINEMAN.

COMPRESSOR CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION HLED DEC-22.1917- 1,398,9 12. Patented Nov; 29, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. WINEMAN.

' COMPRESSOR CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 050122.191].

1,398,912, Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATENT QFFICE.

WADE H. WINEMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

COMPRESSOR-CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

Application filed December 22, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVADE H. "VVINEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Compressor-Controlling Mechanisms, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to compressor controlling mechanisms.

It has for its object to provide an improved automatically acting controlling mechanism for compressors, especially adapted to use in connection with motor driven compressors. A. further object of my invention is to provide an improved controlling mechanism for motor driven compressors wherein the compressor is loaded and unloaded. automatically in the desired sequence in accordance with variations in terminal pressure, and wherein the compressor driving; motor is automatically started and stopped in such a manner that the latter is enabled to he brought up to speed prior to the loading of the compressor, or is disconnected from the circuit after the compressor has been unloaded. A further object of my invention is to provide improved and simplified controlling mechanism for the compressor and for the motor circuit, adapte.=. to be controlled by the terminal pressure and responsive to variations therein whereby the above ends may be attained. These and other objects es of my improvement will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 have shown "for purposes of illustration one en bodiment which my invention may assume in practice, although it will be understood that my invention is not limited to embodiment in the form here illustrated.

ln these drawings;-

Figure'l is a side elevation of a complete motor driven compressor equipped with my improvement the compressor cylinder being broken. away to show the pistons therein.

2 is a detail sectional view showing the unloading valve and the controlling mechanism for the same and the motor switch.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, with parts omitted.

Specification of Letters IPatent.

Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

Serial No. 208,432.

Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of the switch mechanism.

Fig. 5 is side elevation of the switch mechanism.

In this illustrative construction, I have shown a compressor of a well known multistage type including a frame it having; a low pressure cylinder 2 and a high pressure cylinder 3 in which pistons l and are reci irocable in a well known manner by the com-- pressor crank shaft 6, which, as shown, is adapted to be rotated by means of pulley i" from a suitable motor 8, as "tor instance through a belt connection 9. As usual in such. compressor, the latter is provided with an intercooler 10 connected between the low and high pressure cylinders, and with a receiver 11 connected to the high pressure cylinder through a suitable connection 12. It will also be observed that, as in a usual construction, an unloading valve is provided to control the flow of air through the intake 13 leading to the low pressure cylinder, andv thus control the loading and unloading of the compressor.

More specifically, it will be noted that in this illustrative construction this unloading valve, indicated at 14;, is adapted to he ra sed from or lowered into its seat in apertures 15 in a suitable unloading; valve casing 16 to open or close the intake. As shown, this unloading vame i l is of the normally open type and adapted to be raised from its seat by springs 17 connected between a part hereinafter described movable with the same and the usual transversely disposed spring arms 18 disposed at the top of the valve casing. In my improvec construction, this valve is also slidably mounted. above a projection or nut 19 on the lower end of an elongated rod 20 which extends up through the top of the unloadinrr valve casing, and is provided at its upper end with a piston 21 movable in a suitable cylinder 22 having its lower end open to the atmosphere.

In a preferred form, the upper end of this cylinder 22 is connected through a pipe connection 23 with a pressure responsive valve of any suitable type responsive to variations in receiver pressure, herein shown as of a well known type, and illustrated in simpli- ,fied form in Fig. 2 as comprising a valve casing 24- having a piston 25 movable therein and having thereon a tapered valve member 26 adapted to close or open aperture 27 and thus control the communication between a pipe 28 connected to the receiver and the pipe 23 leading to the cylinder 22. As usual in such a construction, the piston 25 is normally held closed by a spring 29, the tension or which is adjustable by means of the adjustment ot a removable cap 30, and a vent 31 is supplied in the bottom of the valve casing at a point below the opening 27 so that when a drop in receiver pressure permits the valve 26 to close, the air in the cylinder 22 and above the piston 21 may escape to the atmosphere.

As shown, the valve rod 20 preferably also has rigidly connected thereto at a point beneath the same a cross arm 32, preferably freely movable vertically in vertical slots 83 disposed between the cylinder 22 and the unloader valve casing 16. In a preferred form, this cross arm 32 is also connected to the lower ends of the spring 17 and also to a suitable retarding means. This means is, for example, herein shown to include an upwardly and laterally disposed extension 34: thereon, which is freely slidable downward along a rod 36 which is provided, in turn, at its top with a stop member 35 and at its bottom isconnectedto a dashpot piston which slides in a suitable dashpot casing 38. As usual in such constructions, this dashpot piston 37 is also provided with a suitable hole 39 therein to enable the fluid contained in the casing 38 to pass through the piston and thus enable the latter to be slowly moved back and forth to its various positions. it will be evident that its weight will. cause the dashpot piston to move downward in its cylinder when it is not supported by the extension 34 and so that as the extension moves upward again after closure of? the valve 26, the extension having engaged the stop meml'ier will. be forced to drag the dashpot piston upward with it and so will effect the desired delay between closure oi the switch later described and reloading of the compressor.

Operatively associated with the cross arm and actuated thereby, is the circuit controlling mechanism oi: the motor 8. This mechanism obviously assume the form of suitable switch, though preferably a switch or"? the snap switch type is utilized. licrein. it will be noted that a snap switch oi? a well known Cutler-Hammer type is employed. As shown, this switch includes a switch actuating member l-O pivoted at one end at 41 on a. suitable upstanding support, and normally pressed upward by means of a coiled spring 42 so that a lug 4C3 thereon is directly in the path of the free end of the cross arm 32. As shown, this. switch actuating member 40 is also provided with a downwardly disposed lug or extension 44: on its front end, which is in turn adapted to be moved downward through a suitable slot 45 in a pivoted spring controlled contact carrying member 46, and into engagement with the tail oi a spring pressed bell-crank latch 47 to release the same from engagement with the edge of the slot 4L5 and thus enable the contact carrying member under the action of a biased spring 48 to break the circuit through the conductors 49 and 50 leading to the motor 8. Thus, it will be noted that as the cross arm 32 is moved up and down, the circuit connections of the motor 8 are automatically changed, the circuit of the same remaining closed while the cross arm 32 is elevated, and being automatically opened when that arm engages with the member 4L0, thus timing the operation oi;- the switch in accordance with the movement of the unloading valve.

In the operation of my improved construction, the parts will occupy the position shown in Fig. 2 when the compressor is loaded and driven by the motor. hen, however, the pressure in the receiver 11 rises to a predetermined amount, dependent upon the position of the cap 30, the same will. then act upon the piston 25 of the pressure controlling valve in such a manner as to cause that piston and its valve 26 to move upward in its cylinder 2% against the pressure o1. the spring 29 and thus permit the pressure to flow from the pipe 28 through the opening 27 and into the pipe 23 and the cylinder 22, and act upon the top of the piston 21 in such a manner as to depress the same and thus lower the cross arm '32., During the first part of the downward movement of this cross arm, it will be observed that the unloading valve 14 will move downward therewith, i. 6. until this valve 174i engages with its seat. When this occurs, however, the movement of the valve will be arrested and, through the sliding connection existing between the valve and its rod 20, the latter will thereafter move independently. For instance, referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that when the cross arm 32 reaches the upper dotted line position shown, the movement of the valve 14L will be arrested, the latter at that time having reached its seat and closed the intake 18 in such a manner as to unload the compressor. l-lowever, as the cross arm 32 coir tinues to move downward toward the lower dotted line position thereof, it will be observed that the end of the cross arm 32 will engage with the lug 453 on the switch actuating member 40 in such a manner as, to depress the same and cause the latch member 47 to be released and to release the contact carrying member 46 which under the influence of its spring then opens the motor circuit. Conversely, with the parts thus at o the uuentlv, the valve roe 20 will then he tree to move upward under the influence oi. the unloader valve springs 1'? in such a manner as to raise the cross arm from engagement with the lug 43 on the member 40 and thus release the automatically closing switch, which then automatically moves its contact carrying member so to circuit closing tion and starts the motor in operation. This, it will he noted, however, occurs prior to the loading of the compressor, as, due to the sliding connection between the unload ing valve 14; and its red 20, the latter will have thus far moved independently of the unloading); alve. However, when th cross arm 32 under the drag of the dash pct 37, 38 does occupy the upper dotted line position shown in l" 2, the rod 20 will then pick up the unloading valve i l: and lift the same from its seat in such a manner as to load the compressor. Thus, it will be noted that an appreciable time interval is intro duced between the closing of the motor circuit and the loading of the compressor, which interval is amply sufficient to enable the motor to be brought up to speed.

As a result of mg improvement, it will be observed that a mechanism s produced in which t e desired sequence of operation oil. the compressor unloa ling mechanism and the motor circuit controlling mechanism is automatically maintained with absolute certainty, the several mechanisms hens operated in direct accordance with the variations between any desired. limits of the pressure in the receiver. it will also he evident that, through the use my improved mechanism, it is rendered entirely unnecessary to provide any electrical equipment other i a simple ,v switch, the e 't'e control being effected through the use of an exceeoingly simple and rugged mechanical ineclutnism acapted to be manufactured at small expense. it will be notec that in the present instance it is possible by only minor and inexpensive changes to an invention to an ordinary type o1 unloader valve adapted to control the compressor These and other advantages of my rn-- i'iroved construction will, however, be oi apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described one embodiment which invention may assume in practice, it wi i understood that this form of same is used for purposes of illustration. and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of: the aopendeil claims.

What I claim as new and desire cure by letters Patent is:

l. in a compressor contro apparatus, a plurality of controllingmechanisms for controlling operation of a compressor, and means for governing the operation of both said controlling mechnisrus normally disengaged from one of th latter but ongageable therewith to control toe In a compressor controlling apoaratus,

4. L0 SGF ll u a plurality of enro ling means to; co rolhug the operation oil a compressor, o s

means for o erating lling means. and a pl of said operating means.

ing the operation of a compressor, a single pressure actuated means for operating said plurality of controlling? means, and separate means connecting said o perating means and said plurality of cont'olling means.

compressor controlling apparatus, )l'ilJtllty of controlling means for controlling the operation of a compressor, and me he alternately engagcable with said controlling: means to actuate the latter.

5. The combination with a motor driven compressor, of an unloading mechanism, a motor controlling mechanism, means movahle in opposite directions to cause loading and unloading operation of said unloading mechanism and starting and stopping operation of said motor controlling); mechanism, and means for controlling said last named means.

6. llhe combination with a motor driven crating fluid for said fluid pressure controll d intake controlling valve, means for "ting discharge of said fluid at a rate run its rate of su iply, and means for re movement of said intake controlling 7e toward loading position.

8. in a compressor controlling mechanism, intake controlling valve, means for ettecting alternate opening and closing there of including a controlling valve therefor responsive to variations in terminal pressure, and separate means yieldably resist movement of said intake controlling valve toward loading position and operative toretard such movement.

9. In a compressor controlling mechanism, unloading mechanism comprising, in combination, an intake controlling valve, fluid pressure means for controlling; the operation thereof including a controlling valve'responsive to variations in terminal pressure, and cooperating means independent of .aid fluid pressure means operative to retard movement of said intalre controlling; valve toward loading position.

10. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising an un loading" valve, and circuit controlling mechanism re pensive to variations in terminal pressure and including a member movable With said valve and independently thereof.

11. In compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising intake valve mechanism, a motor controlling switch independent thereof, and a single actuating member for said elements movable in response to variations in terminal iressure.

12. l n a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising intake valve ,inechanism, a motor controlling switch, and a single actuating member for said e...ements movable in response to variations in terminal pressure to successively actuate the same through separate connections therewith.

13. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a valve responsive to variations in terminal pres sure, a cylinder receiving fluid therefrom, a normally retracted piston in said cylinder, and circuit controlling mechanism controllable by said piston through a lost motion connection.

14;. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a valve responsive to variations in terminal pressure,

cylinder receiving fluid therefrom, a piston in said cylinder, andcircuit controlling mechanism controllable by said piston when said compressor is unloaded.

15.111 a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising unloading valve mechanism responsive to variations in terminal pressure, motor circuit controlling mechanism controlled thereby, and cooperating means for inserting an appreciable interval between the closure of the motor circuit and the loading of the compressor.

16. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising an intake controlling valve, controlling valve therefor responsive to terminal pressure, and motor circuit controlling mechanism including a member movable with or independently of said intake controlling valve.

17 In. a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a pressure actuated valve responsive to variations in terminal pressure, a movable member controlled thereby, motor circuit controlling; mechanism engagcable by said member, and retarding means operatively connected to said member.

18. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a pressure actuated valve responsive to variations in terminal pressure, a movable member controlled thereby. motor circuit controlling means engageable by said member, and automatically acting means "for retarding the movement of said member.

19. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a pressure actuated valve responsive to variations in terminal pressure, a'movable member controlled thcreby, motor circuit controlling means engageable by said memberbut normally disengaged therefrom, and automatically acting means for retardin the movement of said member.

20. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising unloading valve mechanism responsive to variations in terminal pressure, motor circuit controlling mechanism, and means movable upon a decrease in terminal pressure to close said circuit connections and after an appreciable interval load the compressor.

21. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a valve responsive to terminal pressure, means controlling the supply of fluid through the in let of the compressor, and means controlled by said valve for closing the motor circuit and after an appreciable interval opening the compressor inlet.

22. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising an unloading valve, operative connections therefor responsive to variations in terminal pressure including a member movable to actuate said valve or movable independently thereof, and motor circuit controlling means controlled by said member.

23. In a controlling mechanism for a motor driven compressor system, the combination comprising a valve responsive to a drop in terminal pressure, pressure fluid actuated means controlled thereby controlling the circuit connections of the compressor driving motor, and means for loading the compressor only after closure of said motor circuit.

2 1. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a pressure actuated valve responsive to variations in terminal pressure, a movable member controlled thereby, motor circuit controlling mechanism engageable by said member, and retarding means operative to retard movement of said member in one direction.

25. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a valve responsive to variations in terminal pressure, a movable member controlled thereby, resilient means normally resisting movement of said member, circuit controlling means engageable by said member, and retarding means cooperating with said member.

26. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a valve responsive to variations in terminal pressure, a movable member controlled thereby, resilient means normally resisting movement of said member, circuit controlling means engaged by said member, and means for retarding said member as the same is moved in one direction.

27. In a compressor controlling mechinism, the combination comprising a movable member responsive to variations in terminal pressure, resilient means normally resisting movement of said member, circuit controlling means actuated by said member, and means for retarding the movement of said member.

28. In a compressor controlling mecha nism, the combination comprising a member movable .in response to variations in terminal pressure, motor circuit controlling mechanism controlled thereby, resilient means normally opposing movement of said member, and means effective to retard the move-- ment thereof in one direction.

29. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a member movable in response to variations in terminal pressure, motor circuit controlling mechanism actuated thereby, resilient means normally opposing movement of said member, and means effective to retard the move ment after actuation of said motor controlling means.

30. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a movable member responsive to variations in terminal pressure, motor circuit controlling mechanism controlled thereby, means normally opposing movement of said member, and means whereby said member is caused to move freely in one direction and relatively slowly in the opposite direction.

31. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a member movable in response to variations in terminal pressure, a snap switch actuated by said member but normally disengaged therefrom, an unloading valve, and means for inserting a substantial interval between the closure oi said switch and the opening of said unloader valve.

32. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a normally inoperative member movable in response to variations in terminal pressure, an

unloader valve slidably connected thereto, circuit controlling connections controlled said member, and means for delaying the movement or" said member in one direction.

In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination con'iprising a mei'nber movable in response to variations in terminal pres-lure, resilient means resisting movement thereof, circuit controlling mechanism actuated by said member delaying the movement of in one direction, and an unloade able with said member.

34:. In a comoresscr controlling nism, the combination comprising a normally inoperative member movable in response to variations in terminal press-hire an unloader valve slidably connected the circuit controlling connections controlled b" said member, and retarding means slidably connected to said member.

in compressor contro nism, the combination compr' movable in response to vai ions in t minal pressure, resilient means resisting movement thereof, circuit controlling mechanism actuated by said member, means for delaying the movement of said member in one direction, and an unloader valve slidably connected to said member.

36. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising valve responsive to variations in terminal prew sure, a cylinder con'imunicating therewith, a piston in said cylinder, a rod connected to said piston, resilient means resis ing movement of said piston in one direction, circuit controlling connections controlled by said. rod, and retarding means for retarding the movement of said piston in one direction.

37. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a valve responsive to variations in terminal pres sure, a cylinder, a piston therein receiving pressure fluid from said valve, a rod connected to said piston, an unloader valve slidably connected to said rod, resilient connection resisting movement or said rod in one direction, circuit controlling mechanism controlled by said rod, and a dash pot having a sliding connection between its piston and said rod.

38. In a compressor controlling mechanism, the combination comprising a valve responsive to variations in terminal pressure, a cylinder communicating therewith, a piston in said cylinder, a rod connected to said piston, resilient means resisting movement of said piston in one direction, circuit controlling connections actuated upon movement of said rod, and retarding means for retarding the movement of said rod after disengagement thereof from said circuit controlling mechanism.

89. In a compressor controlling mechamechanism, the combination comprising a valve responsive to variations in terminal pressure, acylinder communicating therewith, a piston in said cylinder, a rod connected to said piston, resilient means resisting movement of said piston in one direction, circuit controlling mechanism operable to close the circuit upon movementot said piston in one direction and to open the same upon a reverse movement thereof, and retarding means ell'ective to delay further movement of said piston alter the circuit is opened.

in compressor controlling apparatus, in combination, a plurality of controlling means for controlling the peration oi the compressor, a single actuating means 'r said first mentioned means, said last mentioned means having substantially unretarded movement in one direction and a delayed movement in the other.

ll. In a compressor controlling apparatus, in combination, a plurality of controlling means for controlling the operation of the compressor, a single actuating means for said first mentioned means, sait. means being adapted to operate said controlling means in one direction of movement without material interval and in the other direction at distinctly separated intervals.

d2. in combination with a compressor, a motor drive therefor, and controlling mechanism for the system comprising an unloading mechanism having means operative in diilerent positions thereof to etl'ect the loading and unloading of the compressor, a controlling mechanism for said motor drive comprising means operable in different positions thereof to stop or start the driving of the compressor, and a single member cooperating with both of said first means for separately actuating them.

4-3. In combination with a compressor, a motor drive therefor, and CODtl'olllng mechanism for the system compr1smg an unloading mechanism having means operable in mg and unloading of the compressor, a con trolling mechanism for said motor. drive comprising means operable in diilerent positions thereof to stop or start the driving of the compressor, and means cooperating with both of said first means for separately actuating them, said last mentioned means having cooperating therewith a retarding means eil'ective to insert a predetermined delay between operations of said first two means.

li. in a compressor controlling mechanism, in combination, a swi a controlling valve, means for successively actuating the no including a cylinder and piston i'iperating wi h each of said elements, and means "for delaying movement of said piston in said cylinder.

In a motor driven compressor cont-rolling system, the combination comprising compressor unloading mechanism and motor controlling mechanism, and means comprising a single member operative to control said mechanisms at distinctly different instants.

46. In a motor driven compressor controlling system, the combination compris= ing compressor unloading mechanism and motor controlling mechanism, and means comprising a single member operative to control both of said mechanisms but providing a predetermined delay between the operations thereof.

47. In a controlling mechanism for a motor driven compressor system, in combination, a switch mechanism, a controlling valve mechanism, and controlling means for said switch and valve mechanisms comprising a single member operative upon movement to control said mechanisms at diflierent points in its path.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

WADE H. VVINEMAN. 

